The Blackthorn tree, much like the scorpion or the snake, carries with it  a dual nature: its folklore is seeped in an ‘othering’ darkness and yet its thorn berries are used as protection and medicine. Used as barriers in England to create hedges between wild and cultivated land, it generally grows on the edges of woodlands with its sister Hawthorn. Its near black wood and thorny branches gives it a fairytale quality; it is the exact thorns that encircle Sleeping Beauty’s castle to protect her while she sleeps, snarling intruders and “unfit” princes in its branches as its thorn pricks can lead to septic death. 

As a liminal guardian of boundaries, Blackthorn also carries with it apotropaic magic: protection by defense and warding. Blackthorns were worn woodlands on solo journeying to keep unwanted energies away as well as kept by the bedside to avert night terrors. They were also hung in the doorways of the home for protection and warding, similar to how they function in the wild, protecting the edges of the otherworlds.

The proximity to pain while wearing Blackthorn suggests being mindful to the emotional realms of it: our ability to stay present and persevere during intense times as well as the hope for healing psychic wounds by piercing them-facing them, allowing them to drain and heal.

While some wounds may never be healed : the presence of a thorn over our wound protects from further damage : a guardianship.

Here, a frame of layered thorns encircles a faceted oval onyx which adds an extra layer of protection over your heart, both worn close to the body. The shape is reminiscent of both a black scrying mirror and pool of dark water collected in the woods after a storm; intensely sharp around the edges and smooth on the center surface of the stone.
 

This listing is for The Guardian pendant set with onyx, paired with our signature bar link chain. Both pendant and chain are oxidized to achieve our favorite shade of stormy gray and then hand finished to reveal the bright luminous silver highlights. 

Details :

- 47mm tall 

- 36mm at its widest

- Pendant, chain, jump rings, and clasp are all Solid Sterling Silver  

- Shown on Jess at 16 inches 

- Shown on Miguel at 20 inches

- 28mm x 37mm fine cut oval onyx

- Please be aware that thorns are as sharp as they would be in nature 

Onyx is best known for being a natural stone that acts as a kind of 'psychic armor' against the negativity of others. It is also used to sooth grief and heartbreak. It is a wonderful grounding stone and a stone of self mastery, enabling its wearers to have mental and spiritual focus.

These jewels are hand cut and therefore may have very slight differences in size and may have small signs of the carver's hands along the edges. These are not fabricated by a machine, they are made by hand and therefore aren't uniformly perfect.

The photographs accurately portray the quality of the stones and the cuts. 

***IMPORTANT***

This jewel is handmade to order, just for you, with care and focus. Please allow approximately 6 weeks for creation before shipping.                   

Visit the Policy Page to make an educated and informed purchase HERE.

If you have further questions, we are always here to serve you in a kind and timely manner: via bloodmilkjewels@gmail.com